F1: Raikkonen Fastest in Monaco Qualifying

Topics:  Monaco Grand Prix

VOA Sports
May 21, 2005

Finnish Formula One driver Kimi Räikkönen has posted the fastest time in the crash-delayed first qualifying session for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

Räikkönen piloted his McLaren around the 3.34-kilometer street course in 1:13.644 minutes, less than one-half second faster than current world driving championship leader Fernando Alonso of Spain in a Renault.

Mark Webber in a Williams-BMW was third fastest (1:14.584) while Giancarlo Fisichella was fourth (1:14.783). The qualifying session was delayed when Ralf Schumacher crashed his Toyota. He will have to start from the back of the pack Sunday.

Juan Pablo Montoya of McLaren was fifth fastest in qualifying but he will start from the back of the pack for driving too slowly and causing an accident in the morning practice sessions.

The drivers return to the track Sunday for the second qualifying session. A driver's aggregate time will determine his place on the starting grid. This could be the last race where qualifying is split over two days after teams voted unanimously to move to Saturday qualifying. The International Automobile Federation and the Formula One Commission still have to approve the move.

Some information for this report provided by AP.